Antioxidant dietary supplement compositions and methods for maintaining healthy skin

ABSTRACT

Compositions and methods for maintaining healthy skin and alleviating skin conditions such as redness, inflammation, irritation and skin aging, as well as for maintaining healthy scalp and hair are disclosed. The oral compositions disclosed comprise antioxidants including lycopene, gallic acid and ascorbic acid. Preferably lycopene has been water-extracted, more preferably under acid conditions. In the method of treatment aspect of the invention, an oral composition containing antioxidant(s) is administered to a person concurrently with a topical treatment for said skin conditions. Preferred topical compositions comprise cyclohexane polyols, such as cyclohexanediol or cyclohexanetriol.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/632,481, Chomczynski, filed Dec. 2, 2004, andU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/708,498, Chomczynski, filedAug. 16, 2005, both incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the use of antioxidant dietarysupplements, alone and together with topical treatments, for maintaininghealthy skin and alleviating skin conditions such as redness,inflammation, irritation and skin aging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A proper diet is a contributing factor in maintaining healthy skin.There are a variety of known dietary supplements which can affect humanskin conditions. (International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary andHandbook, 2004; and U.S. Pharmacopoeia Dietary Supplement Monographs).

In my previous patent application (Chomczynski, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/925,851, filed Aug. 25, 2004) we disclosed that oraladministration of tomato products can be beneficial for maintaininghealthy skin and for treatment of skin conditions, when used inconjunction with a topical treatment including cyclohexanol derivatives.It was disclosed further that an active component(s) of tomato isassociated with a water insoluble tomato residue. The water insolubletomato residue is mainly composed of plant polysaccharides forming amatrix inter-spaced with water insoluble tomato components, most notablycarotenoids. There are several carotenoids which have been identified(Khachik et al., 2002) in tomato (lycopersicum esculantum and its wildvariety). The most characteristic carotenoid found in tomato islycopene. Lycopene is present in high concentration in ripe tomatofruits and also in watermelons, pink grapefruits, pink guavas andpapayas.

Known beneficial health effects of lycopene include: reducing risk ofcancer (such as prostate cancer), and protecting tissues from oxidativedamage especially protecting proper function of the human eye (Khachiket al, 2002). Lycopene has been used in cosmetic compositions and oralsupplements in humans (www.lycopene.org).

Lycopene has also been used as a part of cosmetic and medicalcompositions to improve skin health. In cosmetic compositions, Berens etal. (U.S. Published Patent Application 2004/0170585, published Sep. 2,2004, par. 19) used lycopene as an antioxidant in the treatment of skinpigment disorders. Cochran describes compositions for providingnutrients and regulatory components to the human body; thosecompositions include lycopene as an antioxidant (U.S. Pat. No.6,048,846, Cochran, issued Apr. 11, 2000).

Gupta, in U.S. Published Patent Application 2004/0161435, published Aug.19, 2004, discloses topical treatment of skin aging promoting collagenand elastin in the skin by a treatment with a composition includinglycopene.

Lycopene is included in topical compositions to treat human skin toaffect tanning activity (WO 97/47278) and for treatment of the scalpand/or acne affecting 5 alpha-reductase activity (JP-2940964).

Popp et al, describes a dietary supplement composition for promotinghealthy skin with lycopene as a part of composition containing othernecessary ingredients such as vitamins, microelements and otherchemically defined components (U.S. Pat. No. 6,630,158, issued Oct. 7,2003). The supplement is provided in the form of a tablet, powder,capsule, wafer, liquid or liquid filled capsule.

Gorsek describes treatment of age-related eye ailments with an orallyingested composition including lycopene (U.S. Pat. No. 6,103,756, issuedAug. 15, 2000).

Lorant et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,623,769, issued Sep. 23, 2003) useslycopene in the form of a suspension or solution for oral administrationand for topical application to improve cutaneous skin aging.

Adsorption by humans of lycopene from dietary sources can be as low as2.5% (Tyssandier et al., 2003). Heating and processing tomatoes intotomato paste increases bioavailability of lycopene (Hof, 2000). Also,presence of oil increases bioavailability of lycopene (Deming, 1999, p.2216).

Plant fiber can be used as a dietary supplement to obtain a beneficialeffect on bowel health (U.S. Pat. No. 6,753,019, Lang et al., issuedJun. 22, 2004). The fiber described in the '019 patent includeswater-extracted tomato fiber. The extracting fluid is most preferablywater, but organic solvents such as chloroform and hexane can also beused for the extraction (p. 6). Since lycopene is soluble in bothchloroform and hexane, the benefit of the fiber composition described inthe '019 patent does not appear to be related to lycopene. In addition,it is indicated that the extracted material was not treated with eitheracid or alkali (claim 14).

Schmoutz et al (U.S. Pat. No. 6,713,100, issued Mar. 30, 2004) describesconfectionary products comprising at least 25% fat, 6% to 15% sugar, andat least 15% vegetable solids. The vegetable solids can include tomatosolids (claim 6).

In addition to lycopene, various antioxidants were used as an adjunctpart of dietary supplement to improve skin conditions (InternationalCosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, 2004; and U.S.Pharmacopoeia Dietary Supplement Monographs, Vaya J, 1).

U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,517 (Murad, issued Oct. 5, 1999) describespharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating acne based on theuse of zinc and vitamin A. These compositions comprise, as an adjunctingredient, vitamin C, and can be administered topically or orally.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,235,721 (Ghosal, issued May 22, 2001) describes astabilized antioxidant formulation comprising vitamin C supplementedwith 0-5% gallic acid. The role of gallic acid in the invention is tostabilize and prevent oxidation of vitamin C.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,869,974 B1 (Del Soldato, issued Mar. 22, 2005) describesthe use of certain pharmaceutical compounds to address the oxidativestress in pathological situations, including acne. The describedcompounds are synthetic multi-component molecules with precursorsubcomponents comprising gallate and ascorbate moieties.

Gallic acid (trihydroxy benzoic acid), a potent antioxidant, isdescribed as an anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatoryagent (Shahrzad, 2001). High concentration of gallic acid, either assingle molecule or as a building block of polyphenols, are found in tea,wine (Singleton, Adv Dietary Res, 1981, 27, 149-242) and cocoa (Lee,2003).

In addition, U.S. Published Patent Application 2004/0152760 A1 (Castilloet al., published Aug. 5, 2004) describes the use of polyhydroxylatedcompounds and compositions for the treatment of amyloidosis, especiallyAlzheimer's disease. The useful compounds comprise gallic acid and itsderivatives. The useful compositions also include ascorbic acid as anantioxidant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to orally administered compositions usedto alleviate symptoms of skin conditions, including redness, break-outsand flare-ups often associated with acne, rosacea and inflammation. Thecompositions comprise antioxidants including lycopene, gallic acid andascorbic acid.

The present invention also relates to a method of maintaining healthyskin and relieving skin conditions associated with inflammation,irritation and skin aging, comprising administering to a subject in needof such treatment a topical skin treatment at the site of said skincondition, together with the oral administration to said subject of anantioxidant composition comprising lycopene, gallic acid and/or ascorbicacid. The preferred compositions for administration of lycopene arecompositions which have been water extracted, preferably under acidicconditions. The preferred administration of other antioxidants arecompositions containing substantially purified antioxidant(s)administered as an oral pill.

The preferred topical compositions are based on the active compound

wherein R¹ is selected from —OH, and C₁-C₃ alkyl OH; and R², R³, R⁴, R⁵and R⁶ are each independently selected from —H, —OH, COOH, C₁-C₆ alkyland C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl; provided that the active includes no more thanfive —OH groups.

All patents, published patent applications, and publications discussedin this application are incorporated by reference herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to antioxidant dietary supplementcompositions and methods for maintaining healthy skin, and foralleviating a number of skin conditions, including skin redness andinflammation, which are associated with skin ailments such asinflammation, irritation and skin aging. Examples of skin ailmentsbenefiting from the present invention include acne and rosacea.

The approach of the present invention is to combine oral administrationof medically active supplements comprising lycopene and/or otherantioxidants with topical treatments to obtain the benefit of skinhealth and to treat symptoms of skin ailments.

The antioxidant supplement in the current invention can further comprisesynthetic and/or natural compounds or materials, known as dietarysupplements, or mixtures of these compounds and materials. Examples ofthese compounds and materials are listed in the International CosmeticIngredient Dictionary and Handbook 2004, and in the U.S. PharmacopeiaDietary Supplement Monographs, and include, for example, vitamins,microelements, natural extracts, hormones, proteins, carbohydrates, andcombinations thereof.

Lycopene can be utilized in the present invention as a purified compoundor as a component of a plant-derived material. The purified lycopene canbe used in the present invention as a solution in hydrophobic liquids,in the form of pills or as a dispersion in solid or fluid materials. Theeffective amount of lycopene administered in the treatment regimen ofthe present invention is from about 0.2 mg/kg to about 3 mg/kg of bodyweight. The preferred amount is from about 0.3 mg/kg to about 1.0 mg/kgof body weight. The lycopene supplement may also comprise natural orsynthetic components modifying or enhancing its taste and/or color. Thelycopene supplement may also include other antioxidants and componentsenriching and modifying its dietary value including, for example,protein and carbohydrate additives or a variety of dietary componentsrequired by a diet regimen.

The plant-derived material containing lycopene might be in the form ofjuice, extracts, suspensions and solids. The source of plant materialscontaining lycopene may include, but is not limited to, tomato, pinkgrapefruit, rosehip, pink guava and papaya. The lycopene-containingmaterial can be supplemented with other antioxidants either insubstantially pure form or as components of plant-derived material.Currently, the common additive to tomato juice is ascorbic acid. Thepreferred antioxidants additives in the current invention comprisehydroxylated phenols, flavonoids and polyphenols. The preferredcompositions comprise tomato juice supplemented with gallic acid,flavonoids or cocoa, or a mixture of these supplements.

The preferred form of lycopene in the supplements of the presentinvention is dispersion in a solid matrix. The solid matrix can be aplant solid containing dispersed lycopene. Examples of a lycopenedispersion in plant solids include juice-containing solids, sauce andpaste concentrate. These materials may be derived from any plant eithernaturally containing lycopene or from a lycopene dispersion made invitro. The preferred plant solid is tomato solid containing lycopene.The lycopene supplement can also be in the form of a pill or a capsule,utilizing conventional pharmaceutical carriers and manufacturingtechniques.

It has now been discovered that water-extracted plant solids arepreferred over the non-extracted plant solids. Unexpectedly, waterextraction increases potency of plant solids in their beneficial effectson health and skin. It has further been discovered in the currentinvention that the most effective water-extracted plant solids aresolids extracted with water at acidic pH. The acidic extraction shouldbe performed at pH below about 6, and preferably at a pH range fromabout pH 1.5 to about pH 4. The pH of the solution can, for example, beadjusted with HCl. The preferred extraction conditions are ambienttemperature (range about 15° C.-25° C.) and atmospheric pressure. Theextraction typically takes from about 1 hour to about 12 hours. Therecan be a single round or multiple rounds of water and/or acidic waterextraction.

It has also been discovered in the present invention that an importantcomponent of the water-extracted plant solids is lycopene and thatacid-extracted plant solids are the most effective formulation providinglycopene. Purified lycopene administered in pills is less effective.Dispersion of lycopene in a plant matrix contributes to lycopene'seffectiveness in the methods of treatment of the present invention. Inaddition to lycopene, the water-extracted plant solids retain severalcompounds contributing to health and/or skin health, for example,polysaccharides, glycoalkaloids and carotenoids. Carotenoids, with theirantioxidative activity, especially contribute to lycopene effectivenessin the methods of treatment of the present invention. These beneficialcarotenoids include compounds such as phytoene, phytofluene, carotens,neurosporene and lutein.

The lycopene-containing plant solids of this invention can beadministered as a dietary supplement in the form of paste, powder orsuspension. They can be administered as a part of oral/topicaladministration of the present invention or as stand alone dietaryproducts. The lycopene solid supplement may also contain componentsoriginating from more than one plant source. It may also comprisenon-lycopene-containing plant solids and other plant-derived components,such as juice, extracts, powders and puree.

The water-extracted tomato paste or acidic-water extracted tomato pasteloses most of its tomato taste and odor as compared with the unextractedpaste. The organoleptic characteristics of tomato can be furthermodified by mixing the extracted tomato product with other components,such as juice, extracts or puree, derived from a variety of sourcesincluding apple, banana, pear, grapes, cocoa and herbs.

The taste changing additives allow for substitution of salt in tomatoproducts.

The lycopene solid supplement may also comprise chemical (synthetic ornatural) components changing or enhancing its taste, odor and color. Thelycopene supplement may further comprise components enriching andmodifying its dietary value including, for example, protein,carbohydrate and other dietary additives as required by a diet. A dietmay include consumption of the lycopene-containing product alone orconcurrently with the topical treatment of current invention.

The lycopene solid supplement may also include components increasing thebioavailability of the lycopene. Said components include hydrophobicliquids, such as sesame oil, corn oil, olive oil or canola oil. Thechoice of products with various organoleptic and dietary properties isbeneficial for the treatment disclosed in the present invention.

The lycopene solid supplement may further comprise components with abeneficial effect on health and/or skin including, for example, addedantioxidants, vitamins and microelements. The preferred addedantioxidant is gallic acid. To improve the organoleptic and healthcharacteristics of the extracted or un-extracted tomato products theycan be mixed with cocoa. In addition to the improved taste, this dietarycomposition is naturally enriched in gallic acid and other cocoaantioxidants and constituents (Ki, 2003).

Currently, tomato and other fruit juices are fortified with vitamin C toimprove stability and health benefits of the juice product. It isdisclosed in the current invention that gallic acid can be added tofruit and vegetable juices, purees and other food products as anantioxidant to substitute for vitamin C, or can be added together withvitamin C. In addition to its higher antioxidant potency, gallic acid ismore effective than vitamin C in suppressing skin ailments including thesymptoms observed in acne and rosacea. To form a stable product withgallic acid as an additive in un-oxidized form, a fruit or vegetablejuice and other food product should have acidity about pH 5 or lower.This stability of gallic acid is unexpected since Friedman et al., 2000,found that gallic acid was unstable and it was not recommend as a foodpreservative. Friedman, however, did not test stability of gallic acidin solutions with acid pH.

In the current invention, gallic acid can be added to an un-extracted orextracted tomato juice of other food products comprising juices, pureesand dry foodstuff. For example, pineapple, grape juices apply puree canbe supplemented with gallic acid. Preferably, gallic acid can besupplemented in the range of about 10 mg to about 2 g per liter, andmore preferably in the range of from about 0.3 g to about 1 g per liter.In addition to beneficial effects on the skin, compositions of thecurrent invention can be used as a source of antioxidants in health andsport drinks and other foodstuff. Another preferred way of preparinggallic acid and other antioxidants for use in this invention ispreparation of a solid supplement, preferably in the form of an oralpill. The solid supplement secures long-term shelf life of antioxidants.Esters of gallic acid including propyl gallate were used in cosmeticsand food industry as antioxidant additives (Merck Index, 2004). However,esters of gallic acid are not active in improving skin conditions in thecurrent invention.

As indicated in the Background section, lycopene and other antioxidantshave been used as a part of compositions and methods to improve skinconditions. Additional examples include:

Hedgpeth et al., in U.S. Published Patent Application 2004/0223932 A1,published Nov. 11, 2005, describes the adhesive treatment for acne whichincludes topical application of gallic acid as an anti-acne compound.

McDaniel in U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,260 B1, issued May 3, 2005, describes amethod and apparatus involving the use of UV light for acne treatmentwhich comprise a topical application of vitamin C and otherantioxidants.

Marion et al. in U.S. Published Patent Application 2005/0004146 A1,published Jan. 6, 2005, described compositions and methods for skinredness treatment employing caffeine and comprising various adjunctcompounds including antioxidants.

In the current invention it has been found that an antioxidant alonewhen administered concurrently with a topical treatment is sufficient toevoke beneficial effects on skin. The administration of purified orpartially purified antioxidants allows elimination of the dietarysupplements compounds which negatively affect skin conditions. Forexample, tea, coffee, chocolate and spices are known to contain variousantioxidants and other ingredients beneficial for human health (Ki etal., 2003). However, rosacea sufferers should avoid drinking tea, coffeeand certain spices since they induce skin inflammatory responses such asredness, break-outs and flare-ups (National Rosacea Society websitewww.rosacea.org). It is unknown what particular ingredients in thefoodstuff are responsible for inducing skin inflammatory responses.

The preferred compositions of antioxidants in the current inventioncomprise substantially pure antioxidant or a mixture of substantiallypure antioxidants. The unpurified or partially purified plant extractsor other plant-derived material containing antioxidants can also be usedin the current invention. The most preferred antioxidants for use in thepresent invention are gallic acid, ascorbic acid and their activederivatives, and mixtures thereof. Gallic acid esters such as methylgallate and propyl gallate are not effective in oral compositions of thecurrent invention. Examples of other antioxidants which can be used inthe current invention comprise rutin, hydroxytyrosol, caffeic acid andoleuropein.

Gallic acid is a compound present in a variety of plants, most notablyin tea, grapes and cocoa. As a component of plant extracts or inpurified form gallic acid was used in traditional remedies (Felter,1898). Currently, gallic acid and its esters have a diverse use due totheir anti-cancer and anti-microbial properties (Ow, 2003). Gallic acidand its esters can supplement topical compositions of the presentinvention as adjunct antimicrobial agents.

The oral antioxidant combined with topical treatment of the currentinvention is especially effective for improving skin redness andinflammatory conditions in acne and rosacea. Both skin diseases areknown to be affected by a multitude of factors including bacterial,fungi, hormonal and immunological factors. It is disclosed in thecurrent invention that unexpectedly skin conditions arising from acneand rosacea can be improved by the addition of a supplement containingonly an antioxidant or mix of antioxidants.

The antioxidant amount in the human diet can be related to the amount ofvitamin C. Currently, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) by the U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is 60 mg of vitamin C. In thisinvention, the effective dose of vitamin C administered is at leastabout 200 mg. This is more than triple the current RDA for vitamin C.The preferred daily dose of vitamin C in the current invention is in therange of from about 0.5 g to about 1.5 g. Except for vitamins A and E,no RDA has been established for other antioxidants. Excess of vitamin Aand E in the human diet is not recommended and these vitamins areexcluded from the use in the current invention. Assuming that weight ofa person is at least about 50 kg and no more than about 100 kg, theminimum effective daily dose in the current invention for lycopene isabout 20 mg, and for gallic acid is about 100 mg. The preferred dailydose for lycopene is in the range of from about 60 mg to about 180 mg,and for gallic acid is in the range of from about 150 mg to about 600mg.

The amount of phenolic antioxidants can also be expressed as the gallicacid equivalent (GAE). GAE is determined by the Folin-Ciocalteaureaction (Ki, 2003).

It has been found that ingestion of relatively high quantities ofantioxidants, particularly acidic antioxidants such as ascorbic acid orgallic acid, can result in digestive system problems including excessacidity, heartburn, gastric reflux, nausea, gas or bloating.Supplementing the antioxidant intake with ginger (e.g., ginger rootpowder), an extract of ginger, rutin or a mixture of those materials,can alleviate these problems. These materials may be administered alongwith the antioxidants in an amount effective to address the problem, forexample, from about 0.1 to about 50 mg/kg per day, preferably from about1 to about 10 mg/kg per day. The materials may be formulated in a singledosage with the antioxidant, for example, in a dose from about 0.5 toabout 500 mg for ginger, and in a dose from about 0.5 to about 50 mg forginger extract and rutin.

An additional unexpected effect of the topical compositions of thecurrent invention is their moisturizing effect on the skin. This effectbenefits skin texture and reduces the appearance of wrinkles in agingskin.

In the method of treatment aspect of the present invention, theantioxidant-containing supplement is administered orally, concurrentlywith a topical treatment to improve the skin condition.

By “concurrent treatment” is meant that the oral supplement isadministered in its recommended dosage over the same time period thatthe topical treatment is administered in its recommended dosage. Forexample, during a given two-week period, the oral lycopene (orantioxidant) supplement is administered once per day and the topicalointment is applied to a selected area of skin twice a day (for example,morning and before bed).

Any conventional topical treatment to improve skin conditions arisingfrom acne, rosacea, skin inflammation (e.g., topical steroids),irritation and aging (e.g., alpha-hydroxy fatty acids) can be usedconcurrently with the oral treatment regimen of the present invention.

A preferred treatment utilizes the topical application of an activematerial having the following formula:

In this formula, R¹ is selected from —OH and C₁-C₃ alkyl OH (C₁-C₃alkanols); and R², R¹, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from —H,—OH, —COOH, C₁-C₆ alkyl and C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl. The total number of —OHgroups in the active material should not exceed five. In this formula itis preferred that R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ be selected from —H and —OH, andfurther that the molecule in its entirety contains no more than fivehydroxyl groups, and preferably no more than three hydroxyl groups.Preferred compounds for use in the present invention are selected fromcyclohexanol, 2-cyclohexylethanol, cyclohexylmethanol,3-cyclohexyl-1-propanol, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, 1,3-cyclohexanediol,1,2-cyclohexanediol, 4-cyclohexylcyclohexanol, 4-methylcyclohexanol,1,2,3-cyclohexanetriol, 1,3,5-cyclohexanetriol, and1.4.5-cyclohexanetriol. Mixtures of these materials may also be used.Both the cis and trans isomers (or mixtures) of the active materials canbe used herein. Stereochemical isomers and phospho- andphosphatidylo-derivatives, and metabolites of the active compounds areintended to be included within these compound definitions.

Particularly preferred compounds for use in the topical treatment aspectof the present invention include 1,2-cyclohexanediol,1,3-cyclohexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, 1,3,5-cyclohexanetriol and1,2,3-cyclohexanetriol, and mixtures of those materials. The cis andtrans isomers, as well as the various optical isomers of thesematerials, are active in the present invention as well.

The active material is applied topically to the skin at the site to betreated (e.g., the site where there is skin redness or symptomsassociated with, for example, rosacea, acne or skin inflammation). Theactive material is typically applied to the skin in an amount of fromabout 0.001 to about 10 mg/cm², preferably from about 0.1 to about 1mg/cm², more preferably from about 0.1 to about 0.5 mg/cm², but this canvary depending upon the formulation, the person treated and the natureof the specific condition being treated. Maintaining healthy lookingskin and relieving skin conditions, in the context of the presentinvention, includes maintaining healthy scalp and hair; soothingirritated skin; reducing redness, swelling and skin scars; maintainingskin texture; unplugging clogged and inflamed pores; and improving skinconditions and alleviating skin problems comprising reduction orelimination of symptoms related to skin spots, blemishes andinflammation, and improvement in appearance of aged skin. The activematerial may be applied in combination with a pharmaceutical or cosmeticadditives and topical carriers. Topical pharmaceutical or cosmeticadditives and carriers are well known in the art and are described, forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,755, Chomczynski, issued Apr. 20, 2004;U.S. Pat. No. 6,696,069, Hiarichian et al., issued Feb. 24, 2004; U.S.Pat. No. 6,692,754, Makimoto et al., issued Feb. 17, 2004; U.S. Pat. No.6,660,283, Breton et al., issued Dec. 9, 2003; and U.S. Pat. No.6,623,778, Harichian et al., issued Sep. 23, 2003; all of which areincorporated herein by reference.

When used with a topical carrier, the active material and the topicalcarrier together comprise a topical composition. In such topicalcompositions, the active material generally comprises from about 0.001%to about 10% of the composition, with the balance comprising thecarrier.

EXAMPLES

The following oral supplements are used alone or in conjunction with thetopical compositions containing cyclohexanol derivatives. The topicalcomposition is applied twice a day in the morning and evening hours toan area of skin redness. The topical composition comprises 0.5% Carbomer940 (Spectrum Quality Products, Gardena, Calif.), 1% 1,4-cyclohexanediol(cis/trans), 0.3% glycerin and water (balance to 100%). The solution isadjusted with sodium hydroxide to pH 7.0.

When oral and topical treatments are administered concurrently, the oralsupplements are consumed once a day or two times a day in the morningand evening in the amount indicated below. In each example, after twoweeks, the skin redness is reduced or eliminated.

Example 1 (Tomato Juice Supplement)

Tomato juice (Tomato Drink, Cinna Health Products, Molecular ResearchCenter, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio) containing 300 mg vitamin C/liter andsupplemented with 20 mg pantothenol/liter. 250 ml of juice is consumedonce a day.

Example 2 (Tomato Paste Supplement)

200 g of tomato paste (HUNT'S® tomato paste, ConAgra Dietaries, Irvine,Calif.) containing 36 mg vitamin C and 300 IU vitamin A is mixed With1000 ml of water. 250 ml of the mixture is consumed once a day.

Example 3 (Lycopene Pill Supplement)

Lycopene pills (Nature's Bounty, Inc., Bohemia, N.Y.), each containing 5mg lycopene dissolved in soybean oil, are administered orally (5 pillsconsumed once a day).

Example 4 (Water-Extracted Supplement)

340 g of tomato paste (HUNT'S® tomato paste) is mixed with 660 ml waterand the mixture is stored at room temperature. After 6 hours of storage,the mixture is sedimented and a lycopene-containing pellet is againextracted with 660 ml water. The resulting water-extracted pellet issuspended in 660 ml of water. 200 ml of the suspension is consumed oncea day.

Example 5 (Acidic Water-Extracted Supplement)

340 g of tomato paste (HUNT'S® tomato paste) is mixed with 660 ml water.The mixture is acidified to pH 3 with HCl and stored at roomtemperature. After 6 hours of storage, the mixture is sedimented and alycopene containing pellet is again extracted with 660 ml water at pH 3.The resulting acid-extracted pellet is suspended in 660 ml of water. ThepH of the mixture is adjusted to pH 4 with sodium hydroxide. 200 ml ofthe suspension is mixed with 0.5 ml of corn oil (ACH Dietary Companies,Inc., Memphis, Tenn.) and consumed once a day.

Example 6 (Acid-Extracted Tomato Supplement Mixed with Grapefruit Juice)

340 g of tomato paste (HUNT'S@ tomato paste) is mixed with 660 ml water.The mixture is acidified to pH 3 with HCl and stored at roomtemperature. After 6 hours of storage, the mixture is sedimented and alycopene-containing pellet is again extracted with 660 ml water at pH 3.The resulting acid-extracted pellet is suspended in 660 ml of Ruby Redgrapefruit juice (Citrus. World, Inc., Lake Wales, Fla.) containing 300mg/liter vitamin C and 0.4 mg thiamine/liter. The pH of the mixture isadjusted to pH 4 with sodium hydroxide. 200 ml of the suspension isconsumed once a day.

Example 7 (Acid-Extracted Tomato Supplement Mixed with Apple Puree)

340 g of tomato paste (HUNT'S® tomato paste) is mixed with 660 ml water.The mixture is acidified to pH 3 with HCl and stored at roomtemperature. After 6 hours of storage, the mixture is sedimented and alycopene-containing pellet is again extracted with 660 ml water at pH 3.The resulting acid-extracted pellet is mixed with 450 g of apple sauce(Mott's Inc., Stamford, Conn.) containing 48 mg vitamin C. The pH of themixture is adjusted to pH 4 with sodium hydroxide. 90 g of the mixtureis consumed once a day.

Example 8 (Acid-Extracted Tomato/Apple Supplement Fortified withVitamins)

340 g of tomato paste (HUNT'S® tomato paste) is mixed with 660 ml water.After 6 hours of storage, the mixture is sedimented and alycopene-containing pellet is again extracted with 660 ml water at pH 3.The resulting acid-extracted pellet is suspended in 450 g of applepuree. The pH of the mixture is adjusted to pH 4 with sodium hydroxide.90 g of the mixture is mixed with a crushed multivitamin pill (CENTRUM®,Wyeth Consumer Healthare, Madison, N.J.) and consumed once a day. Themultivitamin pill contains vitamin A 3500 IU, vitamin C 60 mg, vitamin D400 IU, vitamin E 45 IU, vitamin K 0.01 mg, thiamin 1.5 mg, riboflavin1.7 mg, niacin 20 mg, vitamin B6 3 mg, folic acid 0.4 mg, vitamin B 120.025 mg, biotin 0.03 mg, pantothenic acid 10 mg, calcium 0.2 g,phosphorus 48 mg, iodine 0.15 mg, magnesium 0.1 g, zinc 15 mg, selenium0.02 mg, copper 2 mg, chromium 0.15 mg, molybdenum 0.075 mg, chloride0.075 mg, potassium 80 mg, boron 015 mg, nickel 0.005 mg, silicon 2 mg,vanadium 0.01 mg, lutein 0.25 mg and lycopene 0.3 mg.

Example 9 (Tomato Juice with Gallic Acid Supplement)

1 l of Tomato Drink (Cinna Health Products, MRC, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio)containing tomato paste, corn oil, salt and ascorbic acid (400 mg/l) issupplemented with 800 mg of gallic acid and 200 mg rutin (SpectrumQuality Products, Inc.), pH=4.7. 200 ml of the Drink is consumed once aday.

Example 10 (Pineapple Juice with Gallic Acid Supplement)

1 l of pineapple juice (Dole Packaged Foods Corp., Westlake Village,Calif.) containing 678 mg of vitamin C is supplemented with 1 g ofgallic acid (Spectrum Quality Products, Inc.). 200 mg of the juice isconsumed twice a day.

Example 11 (Gallic Acid Pill)

200 mg of gallic acid (Spectrum Quality Products, Inc.) is enclosed in avegetable capsule (Capsuline, FL). Two pills are consumed daily beforebreakfast and dinner.

Example 12 (Vitamin C Pill)

1 g of ascorbic acid (Spectrum Quality Products, Inc.) is enclosed in avegetable capsule (Capsuline, FL). Two pills are consumed daily beforebreakfast and dinner.

These lycopene and antioxidant supplements may be taken concurrentlywith a topical skin treatment, such as cyclohexanediol, to improve acne,rosacea, skin inflammation or irritation in a patient.

Further, the supplements defined above may contain from about 50 mg toabout 250 mg dried ginger root powder to alleviate stomach discomfortthat may accompany ingestion of high levels of antioxidants.

REFERENCES

-   Deming, D. M. and Erdman, J. W., Mammalian Carotenoid Absorption and    Metabolism, Pure Appl Chem, 71, 2213-2223.-   Felter H. W., Lloyd J. U. Acidum Gallicum-Gallic Acid in King's    American Dispensatory.-   Friedman, M. and Jurgens, H. S., Effect of pH on the Stability of    Plant Phenolic Compounds, J Agri Chem, 2000, 2101-2110.-   Hof, K. H. et al., Carotenoid Bioavailability in Humans from    Tomatoes Processed in Different Ways Determined from the Carotenoid    Response in the Triglyceride-Rich Lipoprotein Fraction of Plasma    after Single Consumption and in Plasma after Four Days of    Consumption, J. Nutr, 2000, 130, 1189-1196.-   Khachik, F. et al., Chemistry, Distribution, and Metabolism of    Tomato Carotenoids and Their Impact on Human Health, Exp Biol Med    2002, 227, 845-851.-   Ki et al., Cocoa Has More Phenolic Phytochemicals and a Higher    Antioxidant Capacity than Teas and Red Wine, J. Agric. Food Chem.,    51(25):7292-7295 (2003).-   Ow, Y. Y., Stupans, J., Gallic Acid and Gallic Acid Derivatives:    Effect on Drug Metabolizing Enzymes, Curr. Drug Metab., 2003, 4,    241-248.-   Shahrzad S., Aoyagi K., Winter A., Koyama A. and Bitsch I,    Pharmacokinetics of Gallic Acid and Its relative Bioavailbility from    Tea in Healthy Humans, J. Nutr. 2001, 131, 1207-1210.-   Tyssandier, V. et al., Processing of Vegetable-Borne Carotenoids in    the Human Stomach and Duodenum, A. J. Pyhysiol Gastroinest Liver    Physiol, 284, G913-G923.-   H. J. Heinz Company, sponsor, www.lycopene.org.-   National Rosacea Society, www.rosacea.org.

1.-39. (canceled)
 40. A composition for oral consumption comprisingplant-derived material supplemented with a material selected fromsubstantially pure gallic acid, gallic acid derivatives excluding gallicacid esters, and mixtures thereof, wherein the plant-derived materialcomprises a lycopene-containing material obtained from a tomatowater-extraction process.
 41. The composition according to claim 40which additionally comprises an effective amount of a material selectedfrom ginger, ginger extract, rutin and mixtures thereof.
 42. Acomposition for oral consumption comprising lycopene-containing materialsupplemented with a material selected from substantially pureantioxidants and/or plant-derived material rich in antioxidants selectedfrom phenolic, polyphenolic, carotenoid and flavonoid antioxidants andtheir derivatives, and mixtures thereof, excluding ascorbic acid and itsderivatives, wherein the lycopene-containing material is obtained from atomato water-extraction process.
 43. The composition of claim 42 whereinsaid antioxidants comprise gallic acid, rutin, hydroxytyrosol,oleuropein, and mixtures thereof.
 44. The composition of claim 42wherein the plant-derived material contains at least about 40 mg ofgallic acid or gallic acid equivalents per 1 g of dry weight.
 45. Thecomposition according to claim 44 which additionally comprises aneffective amount of a material selected from ginger, ginger extract andmixtures thereof.
 46. A method of maintaining healthy skin and relievingskin conditions including conditions associated with acne, rosacea,inflammation, irritation and skin aging, comprising administering to aperson in need of such treatment (a) topical treatment for saidconditions at the site of said skin condition, together with (b) oraladministration to said person of a composition comprising an effectiveamount of one or more antioxidants, wherein at least one oxidantcomprises a lycopene-containing material obtained from a tomatowater-extraction process.
 47. The method according to claim 46 whereinan effective amount of ginger or a ginger extract is additionallyadministered to said person.
 48. The method of claim 46 wherein topicaltreatment comprises topically applying to said person, at the site ofsaid condition, a safe and effective amount of the compound having thefollowing formula

wherein R1 is selected from —OH, and C₁-C₃ alkyl OH; and R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅and R₆ are each independently selected from —H, —OH, —COOH, C₁-C₆ alkyland C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl; provided that the compound includes no more thanfive —OH groups.
 49. The method according to claim 48 wherein thecompound is applied to the skin in an amount of from about 0.001 toabout 10 mg/cm².
 50. The method according to claim 48 wherein thecompound is applied to the skin in a topical carrier.
 51. The methodaccording to claim 48 wherein the compound is selected fromcyclohexanol, 2-cyclohexylethanol, cyclohexylmethanol,3-cyclohexyl-1-propanol, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, 1,3 cyclohexanediol,1,2-cyclohexanediol, 4-cyclohexylcyclohexanol, 4-methylcyclohexanol,1,2,3-cyclohexanetriol, 1,3,5-cyclohexanetriol, 1,4,5-cyclohexanetriol,and mixtures thereof.
 52. The method according to claim 51 wherein thecompound is selected from 1,2-cyclohexanediol, 1,3-cyclohexanediol,1,4-cyclohexanediol, 1,2,3-cyclohexanetriol, 1,3,5-cyclohexanetriol, andmixtures thereof.
 53. The method according to claim 46 wherein thetopical composition comprises adjunct materials selected from vitamins,antioxidants, microelements, natural extract, plant materials, hormones,proteins, fatty acids, carbohydrates, oil, and mixtures thereof.
 54. Themethod according to claim 46 wherein the water extraction is performedat pH below about
 6. 55. The method according to claim 54 wherein thewater extraction is performed at a pH from about 1.5 to about
 4. 56. Themethod according to claim 46 wherein the oral composition furthercomprises non-lycopene plant derived material.
 57. The method of claim46 which comprises an antioxidant selected from gallic acid, ascorbicacid, pharmaceutically active derivatives of gallic acid and ascorbicacid, and mixtures thereof.
 58. The method of claim 57 wherein aneffective amount of ginger or ginger extract is additionallyadministered to said person.
 59. The method of claim 58 wherein theantioxidant is administered at the daily dose of from about 1 mg toabout 200 mg per kg of body weight.
 60. The method of claim 59 whichcomprises an antioxidant selected from ascorbic acid and itsderivatives, and is administered in a daily dose, wherein the daily doseof ascorbic acid ranges from about 3 mg to about 200 mg per kg of bodyweight.